New York City faces major flooding as heavy rain inundates region
Written by ABC Audio All Rights Reserved on October 2, 2023
(NEW YORK) — New York City is facing major flooding as heavy rain slams New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Flash flood warnings were issued in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island and Long Island.
Some of the most severe flooding is in Brooklyn, which is submerged under at least 6 inches of rain.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy have declared states of emergency.
The rainfall rate exceeded 2 inches per hour in Brooklyn Friday morning and rainfall rates could stay at 1 inch per hour through Friday evening.
“If you are home, stay home,” New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Friday. “We could possibly see 8 inches of rain before the day is over.”
Some New Yorkers have been rescued from flooded cars and basement apartments, but there have been no critical injuries or fatalities, officials said.
A travel advisory was issued in New York City.
The city’s subways have “only extremely limited” service available, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, and Amtrak told customers to prepare for train delays.
New York City’s LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport are reporting major cancellations.
All flights to LaGuardia were put on hold Friday morning due to the heavy rain while JFK recorded 7.88 inches of rain, marking the airport’s wettest day on record.
By Friday night, the rain in New York City will lighten up. Showers may continue Saturday morning, but the rain will move out of the Northeast by Saturday afternoon.
This month now marks New York City’s rainiest September since 1882. New York City has seen more than 14 inches of rain this month; the city’s average September rainfall is just 4.43 inches.
ABC News’ Sam Sweeney contributed to this report.
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